A European country that is immensely loved by British tourists has been reportedly marred by the worst crimewave in 10 years. The crime figures in Portugal for 2023 show a worrying trend as the officials recorded over 370k cases last year.

       ？According to data by the Directorate-General for Justice Policy (DGPJ), crimes recorded by the Portuguese police increased by around eight percent last year compared to 2022 and reached the highest figures in 10 years, totalling 371,995

       Earlier？ this week, the president of the Internal Security Observatory admitted that the crime figures for 2023 are worrying, however, he argued that a more in-depth analysis will only be possible with the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).

       ？Speaking to Lusa, Hugo Costeira said that it is necessary to check in which areas of the country there is a record of a higher crime rate, emphasising that there may also have been an increase in the number of complaints rather than in the number of crimes.

       ？He said: “From a statistical point of view, it is a worrying statistic.”

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       He explained that "there may not be a real increase in crime", but rather an increase in the number of complaints to the authorities.

       ？He said: “I think we're going to have to wait for the RASI and try to understand what exactly we're talking about, in which areas this is happening, what makes it happen.”

       ？Looking at organised crime, for example in the case of residential burglaries, he pointed out that we have heard a lot about the fact that these crimes are carried out by “groups that may not even be Portuguese”.

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       He said:？ “They come to Portugal to commit this crime and disappear, so they are not even residents. So it's not even a question of immigration, it's a question of highly organised crime.”

       Giving an ex？ample of drunk driving - "which is a big crime" - he said that it is necessary to analyse in which areas it happens most, whether the people identified are younger or whether the crimes happen near nightclubs.

       Mr Costeira added: “Therefore, there are various metrics that have to be analysed here, so that the response is assertive, because we have to understand why there are so many arrests with this blood alcohol level, for example.”

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       Nevertheless, Portugal remains a top choice for the holidaymakers. The country has a diverse landscape, ranging from the rugged mountains of the interior to the rolling plains and sandy beaches along the coast.

       It is known for its beautiful coastline, particularly in the Algarve region in the south.

       The European country offers a wealth of attractions for visitors, including the historic city of Lisbon, with its colourful neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks such as Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery.

       Other popular destinations include Porto, known for its historic centre and port wine cellars; the Algarve region, famous for its beaches and resorts; and the historic town of Sintra, with its palaces and castles.